When Jayden Luk Chun-lok picked up a sword at the age of six, there was no turning back. Not even a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis the next year could slow him down.
“Diabetes helped speed up my maturity,” he reflected. “Compared with most peers, I need to consider more, like exercising restraint over what I eat.”
Now 17 years old, Jayden said he had remained vigilant about managing his condition during fencing training and competitions.
The constant awareness helped the Grade 12 student at Diocesan Boys’ School learn to analyse situations from multiple angles and carefully weigh the consequences before making decisions.
Jayden’s determination has led him to victory in numerous fencing competitions in Hong Kong and abroad. His sporting achievements have not gone unnoticed; he became a finalist in the Sportsperson category of the 2024/25 Student of the Year Awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Jayden’s maturity also earned him his parents’ support. They believed he would manage his condition despite the stress of competitive sports.
“My parents do not put much pressure on me. Their trust and confidence in me motivate me to do my best and let me be fully focused,” he shared.
His coaches have been equally empowering.
“They always consider me a regular member of the fencing team and do not give me any preferential treatment,” Jayden said. “At competitions, they just ask if I feel fine – a subtle way to show they care about my blood sugar levels.”
He recalled a full-day competition several years ago where his blood sugar levels fluctuated. Concerned coaches asked Jayden if he wanted to postpone a crucial match, but he decided against it.
“I just stepped onto the fencing piste and used tactics that wouldn’t tire me out too quickly, giving me time to regain normal blood sugar levels. I ended up beating my opponent,” Jayden said.
It’s this strategic side of fencing that drew him to the sport.
“In addition to skills and techniques, it’s about tricking your opponents into making the wrong moves,” he said.
These experiences helped Jayden realise that the passion and mindset he brought to fencing could apply to life as a whole: “All you need is passion. It guides you to overcome obstacles.”
Among his many accomplishments, Jayden’s second runner-up finish at the 2024 Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, stands out. As one of the largest competitions for fencers under 17, it marked a turning point.
“The thought that came to me on the podium was that diabetes did not define me,” Jayden recalled. “This was a milestone for me and proof that my years of hard work had paid off.”
His journey in overcoming adversity shaped his outlook on life. In his own words, he had become “a stronger, more compassionate individual”.
“I’ve developed empathy and a deeper understanding for others with similar conditions. I sometimes share their frustration,” he noted. Still, he hoped his story would inspire others and spread positivity.
